Gubernatorial race heats up as early voting starts today, RIMPAC goes public with attack demo, Big Island hotels feel the hit from volcano crisis, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Voting in Hawaii ©2018 All Hawaii News

Starting July 30 through August 9, registered voters can go to any early walk in voting location within their county to cast their ballot for the August 11 primary election. KHON2.

You wouldn’t know it from the deluge of political advertising in the final weeks of the Democratic primary, but Gov. David Ige and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa have strikingly similar views on many of Hawaii’s hot-button issues. Star-Advertiser.

Money in politics: Gov. David Ige and his primary Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, are evenly dividing the state’s ZIP codes and major islands when it comes to who’s sending them checks. West Hawaii Today.

Hanabusa, Ige continue to capture support prior to primary election. Hawaii News Now.

Commentary: Did David Ige Tell Colleen Hanabusa To ‘Sit Down And Shut Up’? Hanabusa supporters are blasting the governor for challenging Hanabusa’s repeated criticism of him, saying it’s really a dis on women. Civil Beat.

Endorsement: Colleen Hanabusa is the best choice to lead Hawaii for the next four years. Star-Advertiser.

Green plays valid role in homeless center. As pressure mounts in the race to be Hawaii’s next lieutenant governor, Democratic primary contenders have set their sights on the front-runner’s claims that he started a homeless center and raised millions for a new model of health care for the homeless. Star-Advertiser.

State pilot program saves 1M sheets of paper in just 6 months. From January to June of this year, nine state departments participated in the program launched by the Office of Enterprise Technology Services and reduced 20 percent of paper usage by transitioning from printed documents to electronic reports. Hawaii News Now.

The state says a six-month paper reduction program piloted by the Office of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) has reduced paper use by 20 percent, which translates to a savings of one million sheets of printed paper. KITV.

RIMPAC 2018 features amphibious attack demonstration. So far, RIMPAC 2018 has held 25 exercises. Sunday's 26th exercise involved an amphibious assault, landing forces on a potentially hostile shore. KHON2.

RIMPAC: Sea-to-shore show of force. It was the culminating event for U.S. Marines participating in the 26th Rim of the Pacific exercise, which ends Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

After years of advocacy, some 17,500 square miles of ocean around the main Hawaiian isles will be designated as protected critical habitat for Hawaii’s endangered false killer whales. Star-Advertiser.

According to the AARP of Hawaii, Medicare contributes $2.4 billion to Hawaii’s economy, equivalent to 15% of state and local government spending in the state. Big Island Now.

A new study by AARP found that Medicare contributes $2.4 billion to Hawaii’s economy, equivalent to 15 percent of state and local government spending in the state. Pacific Business News.

If You’re Poor In Hawaii, A Visit To The Dentist Is A Luxury. With no state funding for adult dental care, thousands of people go to emergency rooms seeking relief from cavities and other problems. Civil Beat.

Hotel industry sees midyear gains. In the first half of this year, Hawaii’s hotel industry had the highest revenue per available room, or RevPAR, and highest average daily rate, or ADR, among its competitors in top U.S. markets. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

This Ewa Senate Race Between A Lobbyist And A Lawmaker Is Getting Hot. Rep. Matt LoPresti says Senate President Ron Kouchi is distorting the facts to help lobbyist Alicia Maluafiti win the election. Civil Beat.

Councilman is accused of harassing aide who helped rival. Councilman Ikaika Anderson alleged Councilman Trevor Ozawa harassed his staff aide for sign-waving in support of one of Ozawa’s opponents in the Aug. 11 primary election. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell uses public safety to justify obstruction bills. Using a row of lean-tos on River Street in Chinatown as a backdrop, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell scolded two Honolulu City Council members Saturday for shelving two bills he said would get more homeless people off city sidewalks. Star-Advertiser.

Thomas Square reopens in Honolulu with a special celebration. Hawaii News Now.

La Hoihoi Ea: The Annual Celebration of Hawaiian Restoration drew hundreds for a day of education, cultural sharing, community networking and free music. KITV.

New rules affecting ocean and surfing events on Oahu will go into effect on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Ige’s New Campaign Ad Features Endorsement From Mayor Kim. Governor David Ige has just unveiled a campaign advertisement featuring a Hawaii Island leader whose opinion carries a lot of weight on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

Manipol-Larson faces white nationalist in GOP primary. It might be unusual to see more than one Republican on the primary ballot for a seat like state House District 2, which sits in heavily Democratic Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island hotels see drop in RevPAR due to ongoing volcanic activity. Big Island hotels were the only ones to report a drop in RevPAR in June, falling 8.3 percent to $163.91, ADR also declined, down 0.3 percent to $239. Occupancy was down 6 percentage points to 68.6 percent. Pacific Business News.

More than 60 acres of macadamia trees in Puna have been overrun by lava or, by being in the evacuation zone, are vulnerable to theft by humans and wild pigs. Hawaii News Now.

Latest lava flow could set new record. Sunday marks 87 days since the first eruption inside Leilani Estates. KITV.

A proposal for a lava viewing area in the Noni Farms area of Puna has been shared with the County administration, but a decision has yet to be made. Big Island Video News.

Evacuees, volunteers reflect on shelter experience after nearly three months. Tribune-Herald.

Volunteers continue restoration at anchialine pools. Tribune-Herald.

Commentary: Editor responds to election section criticism. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Familiar faces to Maui politics are vying for former House Speaker Joe Souki’s House District 8 seat in a four-way, winner-take-all contest in the Aug. 11 Democratic primary. Maui News.

Early walk-in voting begins Monday at a new location on Maui — the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center in Wailuku, the Office of the County Clerk announced. Maui News.

Tour Bus Overturns on Hana Hwy, 3 Transported to Hospital. Maui Now.

West Maui Beach Access Group Sues Condo Over Shoreline Construction. Maui Now.

Program to provide free medical, dental, vision care in August. Tropic Care is a military readiness training program. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai access placards to be swapped for decals. Residents and nongovernmental agencies seeking access into the Wainiha- Haena area will be required to exchange placards previously required for entry for window decals. Star-Advertiser.

Wetlands created. More than 100 new trees and shrubs are now at home at the Makauwahi Cave Reserve on Kauai’s South Shore, many of them planted in five new wetlands that have recently been completed. Garden Island.

The first installment of real property taxes on Kauai for the 2018-2019 tax year is due Aug. 20. Garden Island.